[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11719-11720]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        EVERY CHILD ACHIEVES ACT

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today, the Senate has approved landmark 
legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965. Since 2001, the failed policies of No Child Left Behind have 
unfairly burdened educators and administrators by holding students 
accountable for snap-shot academic progress. The Senate's bipartisan 
action today--an overwhelming vote of approval--is one step forward in 
the reversal of these troubling measures. The Every Child Achieves Act 
further highlights the Federal Government's crucial responsibility to 
ensure that students everywhere, across the country, have access to the 
resources they need for lasting academic success.
  Since 2001, I have heard from parents, teachers, students, 
policymakers, and administrators about the negative impact of No Child 
Left Behind. I voted against the legislation, as I did not agree, and 
still do not agree, with a one-size-fits-all approach to education. I 
was also disappointed with the bill's rigid Federal accountability 
measures, as I truly believe States and local education agencies 
deserve flexibility when it comes to how schools operate.
  The Every Child Achieves Act restores educational flexibility to the 
States, while safeguarding student access to resources, regardless of 
race, gender, financial status, and learning level. I am pleased that 
the bill takes into account the greater needs of students in rural 
areas, increases funding for early childhood education programs, and 
improves school safety measures. I am especially pleased with the 
bill's innovative assessment and accountability demonstration authority 
provision, which will allow Vermont to adopt competency and 
performance-based assessments that prove far more than how well a 
student can perform on a test on one given day.
  Of course, no bill is perfect, and this one is no different. I am 
disappointed that several amendments that would have improved the bill 
were not adopted. The Student Non-Discrimination Act, authored and 
filed as an amendment by Senator Franken, would have taken the 
important step of ensuring protections for students who face harassment 
and bullying simply because of their actual or perceived gender 
identity or sexual orientation. I was proud to cosponsor the amendment, 
and remain committed to revisiting this important discussion to ensure 
all children are protected against bullying and discrimination in our 
schools. It garnered a majority of support in the Senate; it should 
have been adopted.
  In a strong statement of support, the Senate came together in 
opposition against amendments on portability and private school 
vouchers, which would have unfairly redistributed title I funding from 
our Nation's highest need schools. I commend Chairman Alexander and 
Ranking Member Murray for their leadership throughout the debates, and 
for their tireless dedication to promoting educational reform that 
serves the needs of all students.

[[Page 11720]]

  We have come together, members on both sides of the aisle, to support 
the Every Child Achieves Act. Amid the partisan rancor, bipartisanship 
won the day, and the winners in this debate will be students in Vermont 
and across the country. As the House and Senate move to conference, I 
hope Congress will use this opportunity to promote the many measures 
included in the Senate's bill, which reflect the true needs of all 
students, educators, parents, and administrators.

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